In 2018, what type of supervision was added to the procedures for dental assistants regarding intraoral imaging?

In 2018, the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners expanded the scope of practice for dental assistants by allowing them to perform intraoral imaging under general supervision. This means that a dentist doesn't need to be physically present in the office while the dental assistant performs these specific imaging tasks, but there must be a valid relationship between the dentist and the assistant, and the dentist must have given general oversight or instructions on when the assistant can perform these procedures.

General supervision allows dental assistants to operate within their scope of practice without the dentist's constant presence, which assists in improving efficiency and patient care. This change reflects a trend in the dental profession to delegate certain responsibilities to qualified dental assistants while maintaining patient safety and quality of care.

Understanding the difference between the types of supervision is crucial: specific supervision would require the dentist to be present during the procedure, direct supervision involves the dentist being on-site and overseeing the procedure step by step, while intermittent supervision isn’t a recognized term in the context of dental practice regulations. The introduction of general supervision for this type of procedure represents a meaningful shift in empowering dental assistants within their roles.